SUDAN-DEATH SENTENCE
Sudan official: Solution possible in woman’s case
BERLIN (AP) β Sudan’s foreign minister says he hopes his country’s justice system will soon find a solution “to everyone’s satisfaction” in the case of a woman sentenced to death after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
Ali Karti said in Berlin on Wednesday that Sudan’s government can’t interfere in the judicial process, but he urged 27-year-old Meriam Ibrahim to appeal her case.
Sudan’s penal code criminalizes the conversion of Muslims to other religions, a crime punishable by death. Ibrahim, whose father was Muslim but who was raised by her Christian mother, was convicted of apostasy for marrying a Christian.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says, “I hopefully made very clear that our expectation is that this inhuman death sentence against Meriam Ibrahim will be revoked” He added, “I hope that this young woman will be able to live a normal life with her children and husband soon.”
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268-r-10-(German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, at news conference)–German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, speaking German, says “I hope that this young woman will be able to live a normal life with her children and husband soon.” (4 Jun 2014)
< 269-r-37-(Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti, at news conference)–Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti, speaking Arabic, says “We have great respect for the interest in the case and see it as a humanitarian gesture but we would also like you to accept that the government has nothing to do with the case, it is in the hands of the justice system. We are convinced that the justice system can come to a solution and we have great expectation that the next appeal will be accepted by the woman.” ((note length of cut)) (4 Jun 2014) < 267-r-10-(German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, at news conference)–German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, speaking German, says “I hopefully made very clear that our expectation is that this inhuman death sentence against Meriam Ibrahim will be revoked.” (4 Jun 2014) < NIGERIA-BOKO HARAM-VILLAGES SEIZED Witnesses: Boko Haram seizing villages in Nigeria MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) β Boko Haram militants are taking over villages in northeastern Nigeria, killing and terrorizing civilians and political leaders, witnesses say, as the Islamic fighters make a comeback from a military offensive aimed at crushing them. Nigeria’s military has insisted that the big influx of troops and a year-old state of emergency in three states which gives them the power to detain suspects, take over buildings and lock down any area has the extremists on the run. But while Boko Haram militants have in large part been pushed out of cities in the northeast, they have been seizing villages in the semi-arid region where they once held sway, boldly staking their claim by hoisting their black flags with white Arabic lettering, and making large swaths of Nigeria no-go regions for the military. The leader of the world’s Anglicans, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, arrived in Nigeria’s capital Wednesday to meet and pray with President Goodluck Jonathan. SYRIA Syria’s election shows depth of support for Assad DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) β For all the flaws in Syria’s election, it shows that President Bashar Assad still enjoys considerable support. That support was on display as Syrians — in government controlled areas — voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to give Assad another seven-year term. The country’s rich tapestry of Christian and Muslim minorities helped keep Assad in power, fearing their fate if he were to fall. In rebel-controlled parts of Syria, Islamic militants have executed opponents in public, banned music and forced Christians to pay a tax for protection. Assad belongs to a minority offshoot of Shiite Islam, but he won re-election with majority Sunni support as well. Without that support, his rule would have collapsed long ago amid a civil war that activists say has killed more than 160,000, displaced at least a third of Syria’s prewar population of 23 million, and destroyed wide swaths of the country. But U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry dismissed the election as meaningless and State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf called it “disgusting” and “a total sham.” Sound: 265-a-05-(Marie Harf, spokeswoman, U.S. State Department, at briefing)-“on any level”-State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf says the U.S. rejects the Syrian election result. (4 Jun 2014) < 266-a-05-(Marie Harf, spokeswoman, U.S. State Department, at briefing)-“with U.S. troops”-State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf says the U.S. continues to seek Syrian President Bashar Assad’s removal. (4 Jun 2014) < 337-w-58-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf)–A Closer Look: Syria’s president wins re-election with support across the country’s religious spectrum. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (4 Jun 2014) < 310-a-15-(Valerie Szybala (sih-BAH’-lah), research analyst who studied in Damascus, Institute for the Study of War, in AP interview)-“pick up again”-Valerie Szybala, an expert on Syria, with the Institute for the Study of War, says she expects a resurgence of government crackdowns against opposition groups, which had temporarily eased. (4 Jun 2014) < 311-a-06-(Valerie Szybala (sih-BAH’-lah), research analyst who studied in Damascus, Institute for the Study of War, in AP interview)-“imperative to act”-Valerie Szybala, an expert on Syria, with the Institute for the Study of War, says the U.S. should continue diplomatic efforts to get Bashar Assad out of office. (4 Jun 2014) < 307-w-36-(Jackie Quinn, AP correspondent, with Marie Harf, spokeswoman, U.S. State Department, with Valerie Szybala research analyst who studied in Damascus, Institute for the Study of War)–The U.S. is voicing its opposition to Syria’s presidential election, which shows a resounding victory for President Bashar Assad. AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports. (4 Jun 2014) < 308-a-15-(Valerie Szybala (sih-BAH’-lah), research analyst who studied in Damascus, Institute for the Study of War, in AP interview)-“the Syrian regime”-Valerie Szybala, an expert on Syria, with the Institute for the Study of War, says it was no surprise that Bashar Assad was declared the winner in Syria’s presidential election. (4 Jun 2014) < 309-a-20-(Valerie Szybala (sih-BAH’-lah), research analyst who studied in Damascus, Institute for the Study of War, in AP interview)-“they were voting”-Valerie Szybala, an expert on Syria, with the Institute for the Study of War, says it’s suspected that many people were forced to vote for the incumbent president. ((note length of cut)) (4 Jun 2014) < 250-a-13-(Marie Harf, deputy spokeswoman, U.S. State Department, in briefing)-“inconceivable in Syria”-Deputy State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf calls Tuesday’s presidential election in Syria a disgrace. (3 Jun 2014) < ITALY-SINGING NUN Singing nun in finals of Italy’s TV talent show ROME (AP) β A singing nun who has charmed audiences across Italy with romping renditions of Alicia Keys’ “No One” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” heads into the finals of a TV talent show as an unusual front-runner. With her full habit, sensible shoes and cheering nuns in her camp, Sister Cristina Scuccia has made it to Thursday’s finals of the Italian version of “The Voice” after capturing attention β and millions of YouTube viewers β with her first-round performance in March. In that show, “The Voice” judges couldn’t see Scuccia, making their selection all the more surprising once they turned their chairs around and found the 25-year-old nun belting out the Keys classic. At a news conference on the eve of the finals, Scuccia said Wednesday that even if she wins, her religious superiors would decide what she does. If she gets a record contract, Scuccia said she would continue with her religious vocation. Sound: 271-r-18-(Sister Cristina Scuccia, performing on Italy’s TV program “The Voice”)–Sound of Sister Cristina Scuccia, performing on Italy’s TV program “The Voice.” (4 Jun 2014) < 270-r-18-(Sister Cristina Scuccia, performing on Italy’s TV program “The Voice”)–Sound of Sister Cristina Scuccia, performing on Italy’s TV program “The Voice.” (4 Jun 2014) < SCHOOLS-RELIGION NC House OKs bill on religion rules in schools RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) β Legislation making clear how North Carolina public school students and teachers may participate in religious activities or expression has passed the state House by a wide margin following lengthy debate over faith and constitutional rights. The House voted 106-9 Wednesday night in favor of the measure, which is just one Senate vote away from heading to Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk. The measure seeks to lay out how schools should comply with federal law and guidance on constitutionally protected prayer. It says students may share religious viewpoints and distribute religious literature in schools, with reasonable restrictions. It also allows school personnel involved in extracurricular activities to take a “respectful posture” during voluntary student prayer. Some legislators say they support the “posture” language even though it’s been struck down by courts elsewhere. SENATE-BOSWORTH South Dakota candidate charged in election case SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) β South Dakota authorities have arrested defeated U.S. Senate candidate Annette Bosworth, saying she fraudulently attested to gathering voter signatures when she was really on a Christian mission trip to the Philippines. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley charged Bosworth with six counts of perjury and six counts of filing false documents related to election campaign laws. The arrest warrant was served a day after Bosworth lost the Republican primary with just 6 percent of the vote. Jackley said the 42-year-old Bosworth was given notice of the warrant Wednesday morning and turned herself in to the Minnehaha County Jail. She was immediately released. At a press conference Wednesday, Bosworth called the charges “a political intimidation scheme” against her by Jackley, who was initially appointed to his position by former Gov. Mike Rounds. Rounds defeated Bosworth and three other Republicans to capture the GOP nomination for the seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Tim Johnson. CHURCH ABUSE-MINNESOTA Ex-archbishop can’t recall handling of abuse cases ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) β A newly released deposition shows retired Twin Cities Archbishop Harry Flynn said he could not remember how he handled clergy sex abuse cases during his 13-year tenure. Under oath last month, Flynn said at least 134 times that he could not recall how he handled the cases. Flynn, who is now 81, retired six years ago. He said he didn’t have dementia or other diagnosed memory problems. Minnesota Public Radio News reports that the former archbishop said he did not report any accusations of child sexual abuse to police and doesn’t recall asking anyone else to report abuse claims, either. Flynn testified as part of a lawsuit filed in 2013 by a man who says he was sexually abused by a former priest decades ago. The archdiocese says it is not commenting on Flynn’s deposition. MONSIGNOR METH-ACCOMPLICE Drug supplier for ‘Monsignor Meth’ gets 5 years HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) β A California man who supplied nearly 10 pounds of methamphetamine to a Connecticut drug operation run by a Catholic priest dubbed Monsignor Meth has been sentenced to more than five years in prison. Forty-four-year-old Chad McCluskey, of San Clemente, was sentenced Wednesday in Hartford federal court to five years, five months in prison under a plea bargain. McCluskey and his girlfriend, Kristen Laschober, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges for supplying meth to now-suspended Monsignor Kevin Wallin. Laschober awaits sentencing. McCluskey apologized for his actions. He said he was overcome by his meth addiction and never meant to hurt anyone. Wallin is a former Bridgeport pastor. He pleaded guilty to a federal drug charge for selling meth from his Waterbury apartment. He faces 11 to 14 years in prison. CANADA-DOCTOR KILLED PAKISTAN Doctor killed in Pakistan remembered as selfless VAUGHAN, Ontario (AP) β An American cardiologist slain by gunmen in Pakistan in front of his wife and two-year-old son is being remembered as a selfless humanitarian who was targeted for belonging to a religious minority. A burial ceremony for Mehdi Ali Qamar on Wednesday saw impassioned calls for Canada to pressure Pakistan to better protect religious minorities against extremism. Qamar, an Ahmadiyya Muslim who had returned to the country to volunteer at a hospital, was gunned down May 26 in central Pakistan. Qamar had dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship. His nephew, Nasir Chaudhary, read a family statement calling Qamar a “real servant of humanity who never discriminated against his patients.” While in Parkistan Qamar had planned to treat patients at the Tahir Heart Institute. FAKE DIPLOMATIC PAPERS Ohio man held, accused of faking diplomatic papers ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) β An Ohio man who says he is the keeper of the seal of St. Peter and immune from U.S. law has been ordered held without bond on charges that he issued hundreds of fraudulent diplomatic credentials to people who paid to be part of his movement. Sixty-year-old James T. McBride was denied bond Wednesday at a hearing in federal court in Alexandria. Prosecutors say McBride represents himself as the leader of “Divine Province” and promises people they can avoid taxes and debts if they pay to enroll in his society. Prosecutors say he issued 900 fraudulent diplomatic credentials he sold to people at hotel seminars and through his website. At Wednesday’s hearing, McBride said his authority derives from divine law and that he is not a U.S. citizen. RABBI KILLED Driver didn’t see rabbi before running over him CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) β The driver of a tractor-trailer says he didn’t see an 83-year-old rabbi before he ran over him on a suburban Cleveland street, and even kept driving until someone stopped him. Yehuda Cohen was walking home from Hebrew Academy, where he studied the Bible twice daily, when the truck backed over him last Thursday in Cleveland Heights. His family says Cohen had health problems, and witnesses told police that he used a cane, walked hunched over with his head down and had difficulty maintaining balance. The Northeast Ohio Media Group reports that the truck driver wasn’t immediately charged, and police haven’t said if he will be charged or cited. The truck was delivering groceries to a market when Cohen was run over.
